Michael Adu Gyamfi, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to demonstrate bold leadership by implementing sustainable measures to permanently eradicate ‘galamsey’ (illegal mining).
This appeal follows the president’s recent admission that illegal mining is deeply entangled with political, traditional, and personal networks—a reality that makes the fight against it both difficult and unavoidable.
Speaking with Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Mr Gyamfi stated that the President’s remarks reflect a “hard truth” regarding the power and influence of those involved in the trade, asserting that these well-connected actors must be confronted directly to halt the menace.
Mr Gyamfi emphasised that since politicians are the primary enforcers of the law, they bear a direct responsibility to stop enabling illegal operations.
He noted that this is not the first time a head of state has acknowledged internal involvement in the crisis.
“This is not the first time a president has admitted that some of his appointees are involved in galamsey. Former President Akufo-Addo raised similar concerns. The reason why this has happened is that our political leaders wield so much power in executing the licensing regime for small-scale mining, and it makes it so easy for appointees to engage in galamsey. If appointees of the state are to deliver on their mandate and avoid engaging in illegal mining, we will deal with the challenge.”
The secretary argued that strict enforcement of existing laws could reduce the prevalence of galamsey by approximately 70 per cent.
He specifically highlighted that mining is strictly prohibited in forest reserves and urged the responsible institutions to be more proactive in their duties.
To address the root causes of the issue, Mr Gyamfi declared that anyone engaged in illegal mining must be dealt with ruthlessly regardless of their status.
He noted that small-scale miners who operate within the legal framework should be commended and promoted. He proposed a shift toward a community-based, localised mining model where residents of specific areas are prioritised for licensing.
Mr Gyamfi expressed gratitude for President Mahama’s intention to amend the laws governing the acquisition of mining licences.
He views the proposal as a vital step toward making the system more transparent, fair, and accessible to small-scale operators.
Describing the current licensing system as “very bad”, Mr Gyamfi pointed to bureaucracy, corruption, and delays as the primary factors pushing operators toward illegal activities. He maintains that Ghana can successfully fight galamsey while still reaping the benefits of the industry.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
